From a photograph by Solomon D. Butcher of four daughters of rancher Joseph M. Chrisman, at their sod house in Custer County, Nebraska. From left to right, Harriet, Elizabeth, Lucie, and Ruth. Photographed in 1886.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Pennysaver Market at Fairview, KY

Life in Christian County, Kentucky...

Pennysaver Market at Fairview, KY

We've seen a lot of growth in the Mennonite community of eastern Christian County in the 15 years we've lived here.

A Mennonite church and a second school have been built near us. The Fairview Produce Auction was founded about eight years ago, and it sells bulk produce five or six days a week during the growing season.

Numerous home businesses have opened -- two harness shops, a bicycle shop, sawmills, a book store, a quilt shop, a cabinet shop, several greenhouses, and repair shops for tractors, farm equipment, lawn mowers, and chainsaws. This list is just a sampler of of the many local Mennonite enterprises, not a complete directory!

The Mennonite-owned Pennysaver Market (above photo) at Fairview has opened just this week. Located across the highway from the Produce Market, it has excellent potential of getting a lot of local "English" business as well as Mennonite.

Dennis and I drove over there this morning to see what they had. I was hoping for lots of bulk foods, like the Amish store at Guthrie, but I was disappointed They do have a few items in bulk, such as oatmeal, flour and some baking ingredients, but not nearly as much variety as I wanted to find. When I get a chance, I'm going to tell the store's owner.

Their inventory is similar to what you might see in any small grocery store -- canned goods, bread, soap powders, trash bags, etc. In the back of the store, there are several coolers, including one with big cheeses. They'll cut off a chunk in any size you want.

I think that possibly this store is concentrating more on the conventional grocery items because there's a bulk food store all ready in the neighborhood. It's been built on the back side of a large old house where a Mennonite couple lives, and it's not advertised at all. In fact, I know about it only because a Mennonite neighbor recommended it to me.

I used to go over there sometimes to buy flour, pastas, and other stuff in bulk. The lady who keeps the store was always gracious to me, but I felt a little out-of-place because very few "English" people go there. I haven't been over there for several years now.

The Pennysaver is clearly open for all comers, and that's why I was hoping it would stock more bulk items. But even if it doesn't, I'm glad it's there. At a little less than five miles from our house, it's our nearest grocery store.

IT IS STILL BEST to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasure; and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.(Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1867-1957)